CLEVELAND, Ohio — As concern over the novel coronavirus deepens, the CDC said Wednesday it has seen an increase in demand for face masks and certain respirators.
It wants to get a message out: There’s no need for the American general public to wear a mask. The coronavirus isn’t currently spreading across American communities. There have been 15 cases in the United States, so far, mostly among people who visited Wuhan, China, the epicenter of the viral outbreak. Ohio has no confirmed cases.
Another concern: if everyone starts wearing masks, the supply could run out, said Dr. Elie Anthony Saade at University Hospitals. Those supplies need to be available to healthcare workers and people with confirmed cases of coronavirus.
Though coronavirus is now largely confined to China, the CDC said it is preparing for the likely possibility of the novel coronavirus spreading here or across other countries.
The coronavirus outbreak emerged in Wuhan, China in December, and was initially linked to a seafood and live animal market. It then spread from person to person, and has infected thousands across China and killed at least 1,367 people.
“We can and should be prepared for this new virus to gain a foothold in the U.S.,” said Dr. Nancy Messonnier, CDC Director of the Center for the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, during a phone briefing Wednesday. “The goal of the measures we have taken to date are to slow the introduction and impact of this disease in the United States but at some point, we are likely to see community spread in the U.S., or other countries and this will trigger a change in our response strategy. This will require the effort of all levels of Government, the public health system and our communities as we face these challenges together.”
Healthcare workers need to wear personal protective equipment like respirators when taking care of coronavirus patients or evaluating people with suspected cases, according to the CDC. That’s because they’re in direct contact with the disease, which increases their risk of exposure.
Coronavirus patients or people who may have coronavirus but are not hospitalized need to wear a mask around other people or in a healthcare provider’s office, according to the CDC. If they’re alone in their home, there’s no reason for them to wear a mask.
People in close contact with coronavirus patients or a people who may have coronavirus should wear a face mask if that person isn’t wearing a mask, and they’re if in the same room with them.
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